Belgian national coach presents his solution to cyclocross World Cup debate: "I don't think there should be any sanctions attached to that"

The UCI's president David Lappartient kicked off a debate on how to have riders participate more keenly in the cyclocross World Cup. Whilst some of his statements were over the reasonable line, it has gotten riders, coaches and staff discussing what needs to be changed. Belgian national coach Sven Vanthourenhout weighs in.

“The starting point for me is that the World Cups should be above everything else. In addition to the championships, these should be the most important crosses on the calendar. Not only in terms of courses, but also in terms of atmosphere and prize money," Vanthourenhout told Wielerflits. “Whether seven, eight or twelve World Cups are held, it makes little difference to me. For me, the committee is about the courses, accommodations and facilities at World Cups. That's more important to me, or that's what I'm most attentive to. Less on the numbers.”

Vanthourenhout, a very vocal and important figure in the sport, does not disagree that the World Cup should have more relevance than it currently has. With it's expansion, several riders have opted to skip several races in the cup, removing some of the importance it once had. This is not to the delight of the UCI who rules over the competition and who is keen on making changes to improve it's attractiveness. A few ideas have been already launched throughout figures of the discipline.

"I think a cyclocross rider has it pretty good these days. He is paid properly, the earnings are certainly not low," Vanthourenhout says. Increasing prize money however is one of the ideas brought up to further motivate both top and mid-level riders into participating in the events. "Okay, it's not a business model like on the road or in other luxury sports, that's a fact. But the pure crossers are not doing badly. Certainly not when you know that there are three or four months of racing and everything else is pure preparation.”

However one thing Vanthourenhout clearly disagrees was Lappartient's comment on possibly sanctioning riders who do not participate in the events. “I don't think there should be any sanctions attached to that. It is logical that choices have to be made for the riders. I can completely understand that and I have no problem with it."

"There has to be a clear difference between World Cups and everything else. To me it would be logical that, for example, the most UCI points can be earned, so that the riders who complete the most World Cups are rewarded for this at the end of the season. For example, with the best starting position at the World Cup," is another of the points suggested by the Belgian.